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NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-InchView on Amazon ↗VS
JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS)View on Amazon ↗Quick verdict
Choose the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch if you want variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load. Choose the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) if you'd rather have 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning. Overall we rank the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Beginner Wood Lathe 2026 list.
Winner overall: NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch
NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch vs JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
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- Best Beginner Wood Lathe 2026
- NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch review
- JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) review
- All woodworking
Bottom line
Choose the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch if you want variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load. Choose the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) if you'd rather have 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning. Overall we rank the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Beginner Wood Lathe 2026 list.
Best OverallNOVA
Variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load
- Variable speed 250-4,000 RPM
- 16-inch swing
- 18-inch between centers
- Headstock indexing
✓ Pros
- 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning
- 60 RPM minimum enables very large, unbalanced bowl blanks to be turned safely at low speed
- Reversible headstock for sanding off the lathe at low speed -- common technique
- JET quality control and customer service are reliable
✕ Cons
- 12-inch swing is less than NOVA Comet II at a similar price
- Heavy -- difficult to move once set up
Best MidiJET
21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning
- 12-inch swing
- 21-inch between centers
- 60-3,600 RPM variable speed
- Reversible headstock
✓ Pros
- 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning
- 60 RPM minimum enables very large, unbalanced bowl blanks to be turned safely at low speed
- Reversible headstock for sanding off the lathe at low speed -- common technique
- JET quality control and customer service are reliable
✕ Cons
- 12-inch swing is less than NOVA Comet II at a similar price
- Heavy -- difficult to move once set up
FAQ
Common questions
Which is better, the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch or the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS)?
Choose the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch if you want variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load. Choose the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) if you'd rather have 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning. Overall we rank the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Beginner Wood Lathe 2026 list.
What is the difference between the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch and the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS)?
The NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch stands out because variable speed with electronic control maintains consistent RPM under cutting load, while the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) stands out because 21-inch between centers handles most furniture spindle turning. The trade-offs differ too: the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch's ma in caveat is that 18-inch between centers limits spindle turning to shorter projects, and the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS)'s is that 12-inch swing is less than NOVA Comet II at a similar price.
Is the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch worth it over the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS)?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) instead if 18-inch between centers limits spindle turning to shorter projects is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) instead of the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch?
The JET 12-Inch x 21-Inch Variable-Speed Woodworking Lathe, 1 HP, 115V 1Ph (JWL-1221VS) suits buyers whose priorities match its strengths, while the NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch is best for buyers who want the best overall package.
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